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ODE TO NIAGARA 
AND OTHER POEMS 



BY 

WILLIAM CHAMBERS WILBOR, Ph.D. 




NEW YORK: EATON & MAINS 
CINCINNATI J JENNINGS & GRAHAM 






Copyright, 1911. by 
EATON & MAINS 



.§ 



©CI,A28(>C58 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Ode to Niagara i 

Commemoration Ode 5 

Aien Wanted 12 

The Farmer Boy's Garden 13 

Aunt Jane 15 

Bee Music -. 17 

Advent Angels 18 

The River of Sleep 19 

My Possessions 20 

Sister Min's Back Yard 22 

Christ is Born 23 

Sonnet on a Gift of a Plaque of Grapes 24 

Memorial Day Hymn 25 

Song for Christmas 26 

Song for Children's Day 26 

The Mighty Conqueror 2^ 

Sunshine in Children 28 

Hymn on Giving 29 

Missionary Hymn 29 

Dedication of an Album 30 

Vacation 30 

Ode Z2 

Flowers in the Snow '. 35 

Our Mission 35 

At Home 36 

True Worship — A Prayer of Dedication 37 

Portals of Praise 39 

The New Year 40 

To the Dandelion 41 

The River of Life 42 

iii 



iv CONTENTS 

PAGB 

Hospitality 42 

Our Guests 43 

Rest, Home, Life 43 

Holiday 44 

Little Workers 44 

To Joseph 45 

Easter Offerings 46 

Epworth League Rallying Song 47 

Hymn 47 

Battle Hymn of Prohibition 48 

Prescription 49 

Blue Flag 50 

The Christ 50 



ODE TO NIAGARA 

From far-famed lofty Table Rock 
In wide-extending vision, I behold, entranced, 
The magnitude and symmetry of thy 
Proportions. In one grand panoramic 
Picture thou stretchest out before me — thy 
Spacious overflowing gulf, thy distant 
Falling flood, an avalanche of silver 
Sheen, thy wooded islands' intervening 
Crags, and, near at hand, thy massive bending 
Horseshoe : while far above the ascending 
Rapids thy broad expanse of azure waves 
Blend with the skies which frame the inspiring 
scene. 

Long ages past, when the primeval woods 
Sheltered thy banks, and fierce barbaric tribes 
Threaded the forest trails to look on thee 
And listen to thy voice, they felt in their 
Untutored hearts the presence here of the 
Great Spirit brooding o'er thy heights sublime 
And foaming depths profound. 

Fit temple art 
Thou for the living God. Nature perpetual 
Sabbath keeps within thy precincts, and man's 
Soul, awed by the thunder of thy deep tones, 
Hushes the discords of a world of strife 
And, low before the universe's King, 
In spirit worships and with him communes. 



a ODE TO NIAGARA 

Cool breezes blow thy mists between thee and 
Mine eyes, yet, by thy roar, I surely know 
Thou rollest on in that uneven course through 
Which thy way hast led long eons while the 
Feet of those who on thee gaze forever 
Vanish from thy side. Vapors are transient. 
Soon the sun's warm rays suspend before thy 
Face serene a double rainbow. Lo, the 
Zephyrs die, all clouds disperse, and thy clear 
Sapphire-emerald blending hues gleam fresh and 
Bright in the transparent air. Upon the 
Calm, still bosom of thy stream the gliding. 
Flashing waters flow, with ever-quickening 
Pace, to make the awful plunge of thy vast 
Cataract ; then, placid for a while, press 
On impetuous downward through thy gorge, 'twixt 
Palisades of high-built walls of rock, like 
Herds of wild unbridled steeds rearing and 
Rushing on through eddying whirlpool's mad 
Uproarious waves, till they find rest at 
Length in the smooth deeps of plains beyond, 
And fall asleep in blue Ontario. 

Poised in the path of thy swift-flowing surge 
Enchanting isles divide thy fleet cascades 
And hang suspended on the dizzy edge 
Of towering precipice and beetling cliflf. 
Secluded dells, 'neath grateful shade of trees 
With many a winding way 'mid fairy 
Bowers, are decked with feathery foliage 
Of silver birch and spruce. Festooning vines 



AND OTHER POEMS : 

Of the wild grape there diadem thy brows 
With verdant chaplets twined with sylvan grace. 

Within this paradise restored the mind 
May think upon thy gentler, softer lines 
As, far below, upon thy splendor and 
Sublimity, it views the no less skillful 
Handiwork of God, and lauds his boundless 
Wisdom and love of all things beautiful. 

Within thy drenched and gloomy Cave of Winds 
I hear, appalled, the loud and dreadful crash 
And uproar of thy frightful leap, and learn 
Anew thy measureless and matchless power. 
Like liquid veil thy crystal deluge falls 
With headlong speed and far-resounding rage, 
Dashing its weight of water on shattered 
Trembling ledge of stone, escapes in glistening 
Effervescent surf, and whirls along to 
Join the fleeing billows which haste away 
From the dread home of chaos and dispute. 

The Rock of Ages rising at thy feet. 
Where strike most furiously thy ponderous blows, 
Bears all the swellings of thy tempest great 
Unmoved. It braves the o'erwhelming shock 
And stands for aye the symbol of that Rock 
Which holds the Christian faith secure and strong 
'Mid ceaseless conflicts in a realm of doubt. 

Thou hast for me a weird, unearthly charm 
At midnight, when thy melody has lulled 



4 ODE TO NIAGARA 

To rest the multitudes who throng thy side 
By day. Then the faint gleam of twinkling stars 
And crescent moon their dim rays shed upon 
Thy curved crest, and weave a halo soft, 
Unknown to glaring light, which crowns thee with 
A mystic glory and a shadowy glow. 

There in the solitude and on the brink 
Of thy unseen abyss, with darkness filled. 
The sound of many waters and the ghostly 
Sheet of foam about thee, are speech and forms 
Of other worlds to me. Amazed, and with 
Bated breath, I seem to stand, upon the 
Verge of time, alone with thy Creator. 

Thy strange caprice in winter I behold 
With admiration and surprise as, of 
Thy cloudlike spray frozen to Parian 
Alarble, thou carvest images grotesque. 
And, drooping from laden branch of tree and 
Shrub, thou hangest wreaths of ivory and 
Coral white, and drap'st with purity all 
That yield to the influence of thy magic spell. 
While, at the foot of thy great waterfall, 
There grows, from day to day, an icy mount 
Almost to level of thine altitude. 
While, far beneath thy jagged bridge of ice. 
Which spans thy hidden bed, thou hurriest on, 
Resisting all constraint of frost and snow. 

Eternity is symboled in thy strong, 

Full, ceaseless life through an unmeasured flight 



AND OTHER POEMS 5 

Of years. A hand omnipotent, from earth's 
Reservoirs exhaustless, pours within the 
Brimming shores of thy swift, unresting waves 
Floods ever full yet ever new supplied. 
Thou teachest all who come to learn of thee 
The endless length and breadth and depth and height 
Qf beauty, grandeur, and of power divine. 

Thou runnest on unchanged by aught that e'er 

Transpires among the races of the earth. 

Kings rise to power and pass away. Armies 

Are mustered in, and nations' destinies 

Are sealed upon the battlefields where they 

Forever disappear. Generations 

Come and go unheeded and unmarked by 

Thee, as, ever moving on, defiant of 

The lapse of time, thy rugged stream flows through 

The long unnumbered centuries the same. 



COMMEMORATION ODE 

[Read at the 75 th anniversary of the Genesee Wesley an 
Seminary at Lima, N. Y., June 26, 1907.J 

In rhythmic cadences, familiar, sweet. 
The old bell rings, her boys and girls to greet. 
Borne on the wind, it summons everyone 
By its melodious, chiming, cheery tone. 
Treasured our joys, forgotten all our ills. 
Greeting of friends, our heart with pleasure thrills. 
Long years ago we first beheld its dome, 
It welcomes now the students coming home. 



6 ODE TO NIAGARA 

Heaven's benedictions on your loud alarm 
When vice or error seek to do us harm, 
Sound while with sin the world's encumbered, 
Ring out, loved bell, through ages yet unnumbered. 

We rally at our fostering mother's shrine ; 
Upon her brow the brilliant diamonds shine. 
We pay her tribute with unfeigned delight, 
She greets us all with welcome warm and bright. 
Our alma mater never can grow old — 
Her life is durable as purest gold. 
Though now she turns her five and seventy years, 
United faith and works dispel all fears. 
Her sponsors bold were men who truth revered. 
To serve the youths these noble piles they reared. 
They built with love these time-enduring walls. 
And God has blest these consecrated halls. 
Successive classes trod these pleasant ways. 
Earnest and faithful work inspired their days ; 
Farseeing and far-reaching those who led. 
Too brief the years, so quickly have they sped. 

Beneath the shade of ancient locust trees 
Nodding their recognition in the breeze. 
Gracing this festal-time with blossoms sweet. 
As unchanged friends their stately forms we greet. 
The men whose hands these pleasant groves have 

placed. 
Which, through three generations, here have graced 
This noble campus and its prospect fair. 
The perfumes wafted on the summer air 



AND OTHER POEMS 7 

Remind us of the influence of pure and noble dead, 
Who never more these lovely paths shall tread. 

The brightest luster of our school's renown 

Has been her aid and welcome to the poor. 
For many, through the dark defiles, alone. 

Hungry, ragged, cold, pushed ope' the door 
Which leads to heights of power and name. 

With place among the few and noble great. 
Their records high upon the scroll of fame. 

Preeminent in the world's estimate. 
All honor to the persevering band 

Who blazed the rugged paths with trails of blood 
And made b3^paths highways, where princes stand. 

On which the worthy trod to highest good. 
All hail the girls and boys who worked their way, 
All gratefully hail this anniversary. 

Through all the years since we, within these halls, 

First formed the friendships which survive the 
strain 
Of separation, and the lot that falls 

To mortals on life's road of joy and pain. 
In the school experience teaches 

We learn the lesson : "What you sow you reap." 
Wisdom, in many a proverb preaches 

In a voice of thunder, "Nothing is cheap." 
We meet, to greet each other by the way. 
With smile and word and throbbing of hearts gay. 
And talk of those not here, but far away — 
This trysting place — this sacred holiday. 



8 ODE TO NIAGARA 

Our young Demosthenes eloquent, 

'Neath our Athenian classic shades, bent 

Great energy to reach high oratory, 

Herodotus could not improve this story. 

By no loud-sounding sea did we spout forth 

With pebbles in our mouths, tongue-tied from our 

birth. 
But in the forest, vale, on hilltop high, 
Our voices rang loud enough to split the sky. 
Cattle and sheep their wrapt attention gave. 
Winds meekly died, e'en cyclones dared not rave, 
Birds ceased to sing, bewildered at the sound, 
And verdant animation, all around. 
Assumed respectful silence and surprise 
To hear young men competing for a prize. 
These strange rehearsals sounded like a gong, 
Which, thrice each day, impelled a hungry throng 
To dine on delicacies no chef could explain. 
But of these feasts nothing did remain. 

The corner grocery — Elysian delights ! 
Most cheerful mart of trade for appetites, 
Where luckless clerk was nightly robbed of sleep, 
The menu — never printed — mystery deep. 
The butter cracker, and his mate, the oyster, 
When hours wee waxed late within the cloister, 
Clandestine, and, if not caught — all was well — 
But, if betrayed, remorse indelible. 
Must this historian, prophet, sage declare, 
O ! can it be that he was ever there ? 



AND OTHER POEMS 9 

But time condones — ah me — thirty years ago, 
What pleasing fancies from our memories flow. 

A Latin author tells in vivid words 
How, with two others, Horatius held the bridge 
Spanning the Tiber with their glittering swords 
'Gainst barbarous hosts which kept Rome in fear; 
But braver far, he, who, beneath yon ridge, 

With one, and she a timid girl, at night 
Held sweet concourse at far-famed Spring Bridge, 

Till some hard-hearted Prof, put them to flight. 

A legend of the Seminary bell, 

Wierd traditions of antiquity tell ; 

How brigands, bold and wicked, stole the rope, 

Caused confusion dire, dethroning hope. 

The gong was used to imitate the peals. 

But, alas, each hour it called all to meals. 

The steward and his force grew very hoarse 

Explaining to the Faculty, of course, 

They had been misunderstood. They'd be good 

After they had bought a new rope, they would. 

Of all associations dear, 

The sweet old tunes and words 
Come floating through our memories clear, 

And sweep the tender chords. 

Familiar voices hover o'er, 

"Oft in the stilly night," 
Repeating serenades of yore 

To vanished faces bright. 



10 ODE TO NIAGARA 

For, "Off the Blue Canary Isles" 

Beloved friends, I see. 
"The Maid of Athens" on me smiles, 

She yields her heart to me. 

"The Oyster Man" declines to swim 

The Hellespont, so deep, 
"The Fisher's Daughter," once so sHm, 

With him her vows doth keep. 

They dwell "On Springfield Mountain" high 
With "Cannibal King," you know, 

"Those Evening Bells" ring in the sky, 
"Van Amberg" runs the show. 

"The little Lamb" to butt-er's turned, 

"Mary" is a teacher, 
"Menagerie" for "Bingo" yearned. 

"Quad-Libet" is a preacher. 

"Peachblow Dina's" spoken for 

By "Old King Cole," so jolly. 
Ambitious youth, "Excelsior," 

Repented of his folly. 

The glee club practicing daily 

Chants "Music in the air," 
Sing "Co-Co-Che-lunk-Che-laly," 

"To drive away dull care." 

The stump alone is all that's left 
. Of "The old Mountain Tree," 
And when we're of "Sweet Home" bereft, 
We'll call for "Upidee." 



AND OTHER POEMS n 

The "Landlord fills the flowing bowl," 

We drink your health in water, 
'The three black crows" will sing a "Dirge" 

To "Araby's daughter." 

How charming are the memories of yore. 

When graduation day came 'round once more! 

The dust in clouds on every road is seen. 

All hearts are in anticipation keen. 

Fence or rail impressed for hitching-post. 

Horses enough to stock a fair, almost. 

Vehicles old of every sort and kind ; 

This day is of all gala days combined. 

The "stage," majestic, rolling up the hill. 

Unloads dignity, erudition, skill. 

Of trustees, and official visitors. 

Orators, musicians, and inquisitors. 

The people throng, all in their best attire. 

To visit, hear the speeches, and admire 

The gowns and faces of girl graduates. 

All share the glory each anticipates. 

Lovers everywhere walking hand in hand. 

Last, but not least, comes Lima's cornet band. 

Students, parents, and teachers, grave and wise, 

In front the Prex, awarder of the prize. 

Bouquets of roses, beautiful and sweet, 

'Mid loud applause, fall at the victor's feet. 

While, the unruly boys, of vulgar sort, 

Vexed with evil spirits, and to make sport. 

With unerring aim, at the judge's head 

Hurl bunches of weeds which turn his face to red. 



12 ODE TO NIAGARA 

The encore long, which, like thunder great, 
Was not meant for the speaker but a pate. 
Who ever there on great Commencement day 
Can e'er forget the heroes crowned with bay, 
With Flora Ellis on the organ seat, 
And Carrie Rapalee to sing so sweet, 
John S. Morgan with the valedictory — 
Of palmy days this is the history. 



MEN WANTED 
The world wants men, men who hate wickedness 
And only fear to disobey their God ; 
Men 'gainst whose public acts and private deeds 
No word of condemnation can be spoken; 
Men whom the bitterest foes of God and good 
Must needs confess to be both pure and just. 

The church wants Christian men, large-souled and 

wise ; 
Men whose devotion to her work will hold 
Them firm in sacrifice, in service true, 
Howe'er severe the task or great the care; 
Men whose reward will be both Christ's "Well 

done," 
And faithful witness of a conscience clear. 

The church needs noble men, with holy lives 
Made like the pattern of the Christ's divine. 
Who, in the garb of peasant, weary oft. 
And footsore, breathed benedictions, while 
He healed the sick, the leper, and the blind ; 
Men whom his Spirit leads to serve the poor. 



AND OTHER POEMS 13 

The Christ himself needs men, baptized with power, 
To comprehend the duty and the joy 
Of winning aHen souls to know and feel 
The peace and pardon which belong to faith 
In his redeeming blood to cleanse from sin ; 
Then, labor ended, gain the crown of life, 
Bedecked with fadeless stars, and share his throne 
In realms of light, ''forever with the Lord." 



THE FARMER BOY'S GARDEN 

Odd flowers in the pastures grow. 
The thistle, milk-weed, mullen, 

And teasel standin' in a row. 
Tall, ragged, rank, and sullen. 

They have hard work to keep real slick, 

For every passin' duffer 
Stomps on 'em, hits 'em with a stick, 

Or mows 'em down still rougher. 

Dad never lets 'em go to seed, 

For then they're pests, and ready 

To mischief brew, with undue speed, 
They are so strong and heady. 

The thistle spreads out like a tree. 
Its leaves, dark green and fluted, 

Are covered with sharp thorns so free 
Its rights can't be disputed. 



14 ODE TO NIAGARA 

The lazy bumblebee's sad plaint 
Is heard o'er its big flowers, 

Which look like brushes dipped in paint, 
And smell sweet after showers. 

The school marm calls it carduum ; 

Declares its lanceolated, 
I think she makes an awful fuss 

Because its umbricated. 

I care not how her learnin' goes, 
For, when he feels their bristles, 

A barefoot country lad well knows 
They're nothin' but bull thistles. 

The teasel's tall and prickly, too. 
Against the brown fence rail. 

Boys wouldn't know just what to do 
If the teasel crop should fail. 

For every schoolboy knows full well 
They save him many a trimmin', 

They comb his hair so marm can't tell 
That he has been in swimmin'. 

Miss Mullen is a sightly sport 
In pale green velvet dresses, 

Her broad, big, rounded shoulders court 
The breezes' cool caresses. 

She rears a pole that's stiff and strong, 
And flaunts her yellow banner. 

To marshal all the meadows throng, 
In military manner. 



AND OTHER POEMS 15 

Through winters long and stormy sway- 
She stands, a bold, brave picket. 

To feed the birds, and mark the way 
'Mid field and lane and thicket. 

Just like the rubber tree at first. 
The milk weed's slick and glossy. 

Its pods are 'cute, and, when they burst, 
Their silk is bright and flossy. 

It stains your fingers purty bad, 

The milk gums up your clothes. 
So it makes your mother feel real bad. 

But can't be helped, I s'pose. 

Its blossom-clusters, laurel-like. 

Invite the butterflies. 
With lovely hues each fragrant spike 

Its odors shed as evening dies. 

Some folks don't notice flowers like these, 
Call 'em "foul weeds" and "stuff," 

But common things the thoughtful please, 
And that is praise enough. 



AUNT JANE 



She is the very best Aunt Jane 

That children ever had. 
Though we were lively lads, 'tis plain, 

She loved us good or bad. 



i6 ODE TO NIAGARA 

No' matter when we came to eat, 
From 'sparagus to grapes, 

Our appetites were hard to beat, 
E'ven now no meal escapes. 

When in the creek to swim we went. 
Though burned by the hot sun, 

Aunt Jane would rub on liniment — 
We grinned and called it fun. 

The chubs we caught were very small ; 

She fried them to a turn. 
We safely ate them bones and all, 

And do now for them yearn. 

Three in a bed we cronies slept ? 

Yes, when fun was over. 
An hour or so, and then we kept 

Quiet under cover. 

And never once, with all our noise, 
We three young owls at night. 

Did she call : ''Be quiet, boys. 
Now stop that pillow fight." 

And if we ever were "called down," 
'Twas always to breakfast. 

Her griddle cakes were crisp and brown, 
Somehow they did not last. 

O happy, bright vacation days, 
When summers were so long 

Our feet have trodden devious ways, 
But love and faith are strong. 



AND OTHER POEMS 17 

Among the memories of the past, 
Of household queens, who reign 

O'er many hearts, while life shall last, 
Is my dear, good Aunt Jane. 



BEE MUSIC 
In shade of leafy bowers 

I stand and watch the bees 
As, poised above the flowers. 

Swayed by the gentle breeze, 
They delve for honey, hidden 

In perfumed vials of gold, 
By wisest instinct bidden, 

Those small explorers bold. 

The diamond dewdrops glisten 

On blossoms bending low ; 
I, waiting, watch and listen 

While bees flit to and fro. 
They murmur as they enter 

Each floral cup and bell. 
And drain the honeyed center 

Till sacks with nectar swell. 

'Tis not the buzz of anger. 

Of discontent, or care. 
Nor drowsy hum of languor 

Which breathes on summer air. 
But psalm of hfe, and labor 

For common good of all : 
"Let each one help his neighbor. 

Nor rest till twilight fall." 



i8 ODE TO NIAGARA 

I stand among the poppies 

And learn these lessons true : 
From bees who make my copies 

Of old truths ever new ; 
To toil for good of others, 

Improve the passing hour, 
Love all men as our brothers, 

Thus prove each life a power. 



ADVENT ANGELS 

Whirr of swift wings through the keen frosty air, 
Bright forms alight on the elm's branches bare. 

Evening's star in the cold western sky, 
Warbles of song from sweet voices on high. 

Robins have come from where warm breezes blow, 
Bravely to face northern rigors and snow. 

"Cheer up, now cheer up, O sad hearts," they say, 
''Springtime and sunshine are not far away." 

They flutter and chirp and hop, and are flown 
O'er forest and orchard, meadow and lawn ; 

Hastening ever glad tidings to sing, 

To farmhouse, village, and city, " 'Tis spring !" 

They're musical heralds, brimming with mirth, 
Their coming's God's message of good will to earth 

Prophets of bounty, from garden and field, 
"Flavors and fragrance rich harvests must yield." 



AND OTHER POEMS 19 

"Courage, sad hearts," they seem ever to say, 
''Blue skies and blossoms are not far away." 

Repeat, as they sing, at twilight and dawn, 
''Winter and darkness will quickly be gone." 



THE RIVER OF SLEEP 

With eyelids so heavy and drooping, 
A-weary in brain, heart, and hand. 

From the cares of the day which come trooping, 
I set forth for calm slumberland. 

My canoe I launch in the twilight, 

Adrift on the River of Sleep, 
And float toward oblivion's midnight, 

As I pass into shadows deep. 

I trust in a Pilot who keepeth 

xA.nd guides with unfailing skill. 
He guards while his loved one sleepeth 

And controls with his sovereign will. 

No sound breaks the silence unspoken. 

No ripple of paddle or wave. 
The peace and the rest there unbroken, 

Mark a solitude lone as the grave. 

The sluggish stream glides ever slowly 

Through wonderland pictured with dreams, 

There mingle scenes lofty and lowly. 

Heaven's star in earth's still water gleams. 



20 ODE TO NIAGARA 

I move through strange climates and places, 

And sail placid oceans in mind. 
Inwraptured with new forms and faces 

My waking eyes never can find. 

I sweep through the night toward the dawning 
Of day's active sunrise and life, 

Refreshed for the toil of the morning, 
And brave for the world's joy and strife. 



MY POSSESSIONS 

My flower beds are large and fair. 

My woods with myriad blooms are filled; 
They need no human gard'ner's care, 

But thrive tmtended and untilled. 
My buttercups fill fields with gold, 

Aly clover scents the dewy air. 
My dandelions brave the cold. 

And scatter sunshine everywhere. 
With trilliums my thickets blow. 

Anemone, and violets sweet, 
I do not even care to know 

Who holds these lands by rods and feet. 

I need no cages for my birds 

Perched in my trees at early morn; 
Blithe oratorios, without words, 

They warble to the day new-born. 
Without my thought they feed and fly, 

Build nests, and mate, and brood at will ; 
My birds are happy, so am I, 

With joy my days their carols fill. 



AND OTHER POEMS 21 

They teach me lessons of content, 
Voiced in their Hves so gay and free. 

Why should my years in woe be spent ? 
Their Father, too, belongs to me. 

I covet not my neighbor's field, 

Nor house, nor flock, nor babbling brook; 
I ask not what his harvests yield. 

Nor envy him, by thought or look. 
His high-bred herd in pasture wide. 

His vineyard, orchard, woodland's shade. 
And all that go to swell his pride ; 

He mows the meadow, mows the hay — 
Mine is the beauty, his the moil ; 

All costs me naught, 'tis his to pay ; 
I share his pleasure, 'scape his toil. 

I need not buy with costly price 

The artist's landscapes wrought with skill. 
Great nature's genius doth suffice 

To paint rare scenes mine eyes to fill. 
The mountain range, with peaks snow-crowned. 

The stars, the simset's changing hue, 
The ocean vast whose waves resound. 

The stately trees, the plain's broad view. 
For, while I do not mark the course 

Of planets, suns, nor tides of sea. 
Nor trace the rivers to their source. 

They one and all belong to me. 



22 ODE TO NIAGARA 

In magic, mystic reverie 

Fond recollection brings once more 
Loved forms, which long since passed away, 

To dwell beside me as of yore. 
I give imagination rein : 

The air, with music soft, is filled. 
Voices long silent speak again. 

My homesick yearnings all are stilled. 
The precious past its treasure sends 

My griefs to ease, my care to free, 
For, in undying love, my friends 

For evermore belong to me. 



SISTER MIN^S BACK YARD 

A purling brook with grassy bank. 
Where lofty trees abound. 

And clumps of homely flowers, rank, 
Bloom all the seasons 'round. 

A miniature log cabin stands. 
Beneath the shadows deep, 

Inviting home-grown gypsy bands 
To read and eat and sleep. 

Within, a hearth and table wide 

Most cordially invite ; 
And guests oft willingly abide 

With profit and delight. 



AND OTHER POEMS 23 

For, in the early morn the sun 

Gilds, with his brightest rays 
The coziest spot where anyone 

Could spend the summer days. 

At noon the drowsy bumblebee 

Lulls to refreshing sleep. 
Within the cabin, from care free, 

Lost in oblivion deep. 

The voices of the birds o'erhead 

At twilight sweetly sing, 
Dispelling weariness and dread, 

And peace and comfort bring. 

The neighbors rally here at eve 
To talk of crops and weather. 

It is the village club. Believe 
They're glad to get together. 

One need not cross the ocean wide 

To escape man's labors hard, 
Just rest contented to abide 

In sister Min's back yard. 



CHRIST IS BORN 

Christ is born ! and heavenly glory 
Shines on Bethlehem's darkened sky; 

Christ is born ! O joyful story ! 
Man's redemption draweth nigh. 



24 ODE TO NIAGARA 

"Christ is born !" the herald angel 
Sings the anthem sweet and clear, 

"Christ is born !" the bright evangel 
Sings, while wondering shepherds hear. 

"Christ is born! peace, joy, and blessing, 
Welcome news to all I bring ; 

Christ is born, all love possessing, 
Jesus, Son of God, is King ! 

"Christ is born ! and in a manger 
They the holy Babe have laid ; 

Christ is born ! the heavenly stranger 
You shall find, be not afraid." 

"Christ is born !" the host of heaven 
Hovering over Judah's plain, 

"Christ is born ! Messiah given !" 
Loud they sing the glad refrain. 

Christ is born, the Saviour, glorious. 
Comes to suffer, comes to die ; 

Christ is born to live victorious. 
Born to reign eternally. 



SONNET ON A GIFT OF A PLAQUE OF GRAPES 

The far-famed grapes of Eschol old 
Allured the tribes of Israel's band 

To quicken'd pace and made them bold 
In traveling to the promised land. 



AND OTHER POEMS 25 

But these ripe clusters will hang here 
In Paradise through all the year, 
Where faith, good will and love abound, 
A rallying place for all good cheer. 
Could Moses view what we can see 
He would concede this best to be. 
Not Pisgah, with its sights sublime, 
But Alta Vista, superfine. 
Most beautiful by nature given 
And almost good enough for heaven. 



MEMORIAL DAY HYMN 

To-day, through all our broad domain. 
The people meet with one accord 

To honor those in battle slain, 

And praise the Lord for peace restored. 

In memory of our hallowed dead,. 

A prayer of gratitude we breathe, 
A chaplet for each hero's head 

Of love and grief and praise we wreathe. 

Their lives an offering free they gave. 
On God and country's altar laid, 

And chose a patriot's nameless grave 
To wrong, at price of freedom paid. 

In grateful praise our hymns we raise 
To God, who gave our arms success ; 

Our ransomed land all future days 
His power shall own, his name shall bless. 



26 ODE TO NIAGARA 

SONG FOR CHRISTMAS 
To Christ in Bethlehem 
Joyful the wise men came, 

Led by the star; 
Kneeling in reverent prayer, 
Rich gifts they offered there : 
Frankincense, gold, and myrrh, 
Brought from afar. 

To Christ in manger laid 
Shepherds their homage paid, 

By angels sent ; 
Leaving their flock afield, 
Their service glad to yield, 
To wondering men revealed 

His great advent. 

To men in every age, 
Is told the old message 

Of star and song ; 
To Christ, our glorious King, 
Our hearts and gifts we bring, 
Join all his name to sing. 

His praise prolong. 



SONG FOR CHILDREN'S DAY 

The children's Sabbath comes again, 
With birds and flowers bright, 

With early fruits and gentle rain, 
And floods of sunshine light. 



AND OTHER POEMS 27 

The passing year God's love has blest, 

The hills with music ring. 
The pastures now with flocks are dressed. 

The valleys shout and sing. 

Sing unto God who made the day. 
Whose praise the night prolongs, 

Winter and summer own his sway. 
The earth to him belongs. 

From sea to sea, in temples fair. 

To-day his children meet. 
From north to south we breathe a prayer 

And worship at his feet. 

Chorus 
All nature's voices loud proclaim 

God's goodness great and free, 
Let all the children praise his name 

With glad, sweet melody. 



THE MIGHTY CONQUEROR 

Jesus the mighty conqueror 

Now rises from the tomb, 
His resurrection glory 

Dispels its chilling gloom ; 
While, from its open portals. 

An angel clad in light, 
Doth reveal to mortals 

The triumphs of his might. 



28 ODE TO NIAGARA 

The grave its awful conquest 

O'er man for ages won, 
Defeated, now surrenders 

To God's victorious Son; 
The mighty conqueror, captive 

Now leads captivity. 
Precious gifts bestowing 

Of life and liberty. 

Death's power fore'er is broken, 

God's saints no longer mourn. 
Its sting can bring no torture. 

For Christ the curse hath borne; 
His glorious exaltation. 

Let men and angels sing, 
Jesus, Mighty Conqueror! 

In earth and heaven is King. 



SUNSHINE IN CHILDREN 

Joys always abound where children are found, 
For, all through the long summer day. 

They store up the treasures they find in their pleas- 
ures 
To drive winter's sadness away. 

Absorbing the light shining on them so bright, 
And color and fragrance from flowers. 

Catching songs from the birds, which they warble 
in words, 
They are sunshine through all the dark hours. 



AND OTHER POEMS 29 

HYMN ON GIVING 

Into thy storehouse, Lord, we bring 
With willing hands an offering, 
Our tithes and first fruits here we pay, 
Ourselves upon thine altar lay. 

O Lord of hosts, we now would prove 
Thy promised word, thy boundless love ; 
Windows of heaven open wide, 
Let all our wants be satisfied. 

Thy Pentecostal blessings send. 
On thee alone our souls depend ; 
Pour out thy gifts, let grace abound, 
Till in our hearts no room is found. 



MISSIONARY HYMN 

Lord, all we have is from above. 
Thy gifts are numberless and free, 

And shall we so abuse thy love 
As to withhold our all from thee? 

With generous heart and open hand, 
Freely our goods for thee we'll spend. 

Where human needs our help demands, 
By giving, unto God we'll lend. 

Thy field is wide, thy laborers few, 
To save our race the Saviour came, 

By gifts, by prayer, by service due, 

We'll teach thy love and spread thy name. 



30 ODE TO NIAGARA 

DEDICATION OF AN ALBUM 

Within these pages pure and white, 
Their names your trusted friends will write. 
This secret I will give to you 
By which their characters to view. 

The bold, brave, firm, with heavy stroke 
The lines will trace ; they're like the oak. 
The doubting, weak-willed, listless band, 
Their words will make with trembling hand. 

Those whose lives smoothly run, and calm, 

With gently gliding pen, embalm 

The sentiments of loving hearts. 

At sight of which sweet memory starts. 

Fair, round, large, easy, open scrawl 
Speaks plain of honor, virtue, all 
That one needs most in bosom friend ; 
On such an one you may depend. 



VACATION 

Awearied and worn, one midsummer mom, 
Discouraged and feeling so blue. 

We came forth to find true solace of mind 
In the land of nothing- to do. 



^fc> 



We journeyed afar, in vestibuled car. 

To find this region enchanted. 
We wheeled, and we flew in birchbark canoe, 

To this country with sweet dreams haunted. 



AND OTHER POEMS 31 

We are caught with the wiles of a thousand isles, 

Sylvan music lulls us to rest. 
The islands so green, the blue waters' sheen, 

Prove of all restful havens the best. 

Adrift in a boat, we lazily float. 

Water lilies so pleasantly woo. 
The whippoorwills sing, our glad voices ring. 

In this land of nothing to do. 

'Tis sinful to hurry, 't won't do tO' worry, 

We labor not, spin, nor sew. 
Just lie on the grass, and let the time pass, 

And work hard at nothing to do. 

In this charming land of idleness bland. 
There's never a harsh word or frown. 

In this wond'rous clime we don't reckon time — 
All the watches and clocks run down. 

We search every nook with kodak and book, 

Every day we go on a lark. 
'Tis our duty to shirk all manner of work. 

And be happy from daylight till dark. 

In the stream we plunge, or catch muscalonge. 

For that's just nothing to do. 
The boat gives a lurch as we haul in the perch — 

We have pleasure the whole day through. 

We never use bait while for bass we wait. 

But we troll with a line and spoon. 
The days fly so fast, they're too good to last. 

And our vacation's over too soon. 



32 ODE TO NIAGARA 

We once pulled the oar, in boating of yore, 

Wherever we wanted to go, 
The swift naphtha launch doesn't give us a chance, 

In this land of nothing to do. 

This nothing to do means energies new, 
When long summer days have gone by, 

For true recreation means new concentration. 
Inspirations noble and high. 



ODE 

[Written for the sixtieth anniversary of the marriage 
of Mr. and Mrs. John B. Loomis, of Rochester, N. Y., 
May 31, 1909.] 

The guests who throng this festive place, 

In friendship's bonds cemented, 
This anniversary to grace 

With life and love contented. 
Benedictions on our honored groom. 

Borne with grateful, manly pride. 
Decked with summer's fragrant bloom 

Best of greetings for the bride. 

If it's worth while to tarry here 
Long, on this mundane sphere, 
Select a pedigree, well-born, 
Your family name t' adorn. 
It was in sixteen thirty-eight, 

There came to Boston town 
From good, old stock of Pilgrims great 

Loomis, of high renown. 



AND OTHER POEMS 33 

A romance true, of love and fame, 

Of our Loomis, at sight, 
Blew smoldering fires to bursting flame. 

With future prospects bright. 
A girl of ten, with pretty face, 

Attired in a red dress. 
So artless, and, with charming grace, 

His heart she did possess. 
In after years when he taught school 

He found her very smart, 
And yearned that sweetest maid to rule — 

He boldly claimed her heart. 
So when the question he proposed 

She knew just what to say. 
And was so very well disposed 

It took his breath away. 

For, from the hanging of the crane. 

Full sixty years of love. 
Their sacred vows of youth remain 

With blessings from above. 
They toiled with patience, strong and true, 

Through fair and stormy weather, 
'Mid ups and downs affections grew. 

They've always worked together. 

The worthy man we honor here to-day 
A record bears in all the nation's wars, 

For, though he did not share the bloody fray, 
He, a noble military service bears. 



34 ODE TO NIAGARA 

His grand-sire fought at famous Bunker Hill. 
In *'war of twelve" his sire served with a will, 
While he, with patriotic ardor, said, 
"I stayed at home to fight the 'copperhead/ " 

The man and woman whom we celebrate 

Have ever to the church been true. 
Their lives and home they first did consecrate. 

When sweet and tender love was new. 
Their passion 'twas to see God's kingdom spread, 
In hallowed fane they gladly served and led. 
Reverently they listened for God's calls. 
Their hearts and lives they built into its walls. 

Thou youthful bride, wearing so lightly now 
The chaplet on your brow, do tell us how 
You cheat old Father Time ? Are his old eyes 
Growing dim ? Do you pass him in disguise ? 
You are brave and defy the moving years. 
Keep spritely, active, cheery, without fears. 
Heed not the past, the future is for thee, 
Behold: 'The best of life is yet to be." 

Your holy wedlock's stood the strain of time 

For better, as there was no worse. 
No family jars, instead, concord sublime. 

Nor sad courts of divorce. 
Your equal match was truly made in heaven, 

Your love's bright gold's without alloy. 
Two noble sons from heaven has given. 

Few bitter griefs have marred your joy. 



AND OTHER POEMS 35 

Live long and well, dear friend, in peace and rest 

In tranquil, sunny, happy day. 
A loving God knows what is for your best ; 

Lean on his arm ; he leads the way. 

They who are God's offspring can never die. 

Brief the transition, through the covered way, 
Out into light supernal bliss on high. 

With Christ and saints, into the perfect day. 



FLOWERS IN THE SNOW 

The Christmas rose, when all around is dreary 
And winter's chill is over fen and fields, 

'Neath snowdrifts deep, of frost and ice grown 
weary. 
We hail with joy the flowers it bravely yields. 

Thus, in adversity and gloom of sorrow, 

When life ebbs low and faith is changed to fear, 

Earth's pleasures fade and woe forebodes the mor- 
row, 
God's love shall bloom in happiness and cheer. 



OUR MISSION 

A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax 
shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto 
victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. — Matt. 
12. 20, 21. 

Blest prophecy of Christ, who came, 

In ministry of love, 
To rescue men, from sin and shame, 

And guide to realms above. 



36 ODE TO NIAGARA 

The offering of a loving word, 
Which helps a soul in need, 

Is precious incense to our Lord, 
He will most surely heed. 

We, too, may heal the bruised heart. 
And bless, with kindly deed. 

E'er smoldering hope from life depart, 
The spirit's fires feed. 

Upon the lives defiled by sin. 
The healing balm to pour, 

Through Christ, and faith in him. 
Redeemed, to sin no more. 



AT HOME 



When I am gone my soul in rapture dwelling 
Where life eternal dawns in fadeless light, 

Sing hymns I love, their holy music swelling, 

Hail heavenly joys which greet my ravished sight. 

When heart shall fail, my spirit, free, ascending. 
Shout songs of faith and victory's glad refrain, 

"There is a land mine eye hath seen," unending, 
Chant, "God be with you till we meet again." 

Grieve not for me when I go home, but rather 
Be glad, rejoice in Christ's assurance blest: 

"Come unto me when shadows darkly gather, 
Come unto me and I will give you rest." 



AND OTHER POEMS 37 

Lay me away where nature's smiles are resting 
'Neath self sown flowers earth's early springtimes 
bring, 

Near shady groves where birds securely nesting, 
Warble at dawn, at evening sweetly sing. 

Let me repose where scenes of rural beauty 

Clothe vale and hill where children's footsteps 
tread, 

Mark o'er my grave : ''His only aim was duty, 
With saints on high he lives who once was dead." 

Weep not for me, hope on, and falter never, 
In paradise I'll dwell and fondly wait, 

Press toward the mark the prize to win forever. 
For those I love I'll watch at heaven's gate. 



TRUE WORSHIP— A PRAYER OF DEDICATION 

Almighty God, Thy word hath said. 

When from thy hand creation sprang 
And earth's deep corner stone was laid, 

The morning stars together sang. 
Thy boundless universe became 

A temple by thine own decree. 
The Sabbath dawned with glad acclaim 

From angel hosts who worshiped thee. 

Of old, in lonely solitude 

Of desert wild, thine Israel bowed 
And worshiped the Eternal Good, 

And to thy laws obedience vowed. 



38 ODE TO NIAGARA 

Thy temple's dome, heaven's arch of Hght; 

Its walls, grim Horeb's ranges broad ; 
Thine altar dread. Mount Sinai's height, 

Which burned and quaked before our God. 

On Zion's hill thy temple fair 

Stood, as thy faultless wisdom willed ; 
Its priests sweet incense offered there, 

Its courts with worshipers were filled. 
Within its veil Shekinah shone 

And flamed above the mercy seat, 
Thy people's offerings to own, 

And mark their sacrifice complete. 

Not Gerizim nor Zion's shrine 

Contained alone the place of prayer 
Revealed by thee, O Christ divine. 

To woman, sad with sin and care. 
At Jacob's well, through vision dim, 

God Spirit is — blest truth sublime ! 
Men can in spirit worship him 

In every place, at any time. 

To-day we bring thee, Lord, this shrine. 

Built to thy glory and thy praise ; 
Accept and make it ever thine. 

Here deign to dwell through future days. 
On consecrated altar here 

Thy presence manifest in power; 
Our offerings, in godly fear. 

We dedicate to thee this hour. 



AND OTHER POEMS 39 

Ourselves thy temple, God most high, 

We here devote anew to thee ; 
Our hearts, thine altars, sanctify, 

Our lives a sacrifice most free ; 
Our spirits priests before thee wait, 

Our worship by our praise we prove ; 
Our all with joy we consecrate, 

And by obedience show our love. 

Into that heavenly temple grand. 

Which ceaseless grows to heaven's King, 
Build us, as living stones, to stand 

Through endless ages worshiping. 
In this our temple quarry find 

For pillars beautiful and rare; 
Us into blest communion bind, 

To honor, laud, and serve thee there. 



PORTALS OF PRAISE 

The portals of praise were thrown open. 

On the morn of Christ's wonderful birth, 
That a message of joy might be spoken 

To the watching and faithful of earth. 
An angel with news of redemption. 

Holy choirs hymning heavenly lays, 
Hushed the discord of human contention 

With glad songs from the portals of praise. 

The portals of death burst asunder 
When the Saviour in triumph arose. 

With the grave, sin, and death trampled under. 
He defeated forever our foes. 



40 ODE TO NIAGARA 

Your heads, O ye gates everlasting, 
Lift ye up ! let your King enter in ! 

From the cross to the throne he is passing, 
Open wide ! heavenly gates, let him in ! 

The door of salvation's provided. 

Even Christ, the life, truth, and the way. 
He pleads now for your heart undivided. 

Will you yield and accept him to-day? 
Come, walk in the King's holy highway. 

And the portals of praise shall resound 
With their shouts from the desert and byway, 

Who in Christ full salvation have found. 

The streets of the city of glory 

Shall reecho the tread of earth's blest. 
When, repeating with joy the old story. 

They all enter the haven of rest. 
From North and from East they are bringing 

Sheaves of joy, glad thanksgivings they raise, 
From the South and the West they come singing. 

As they sweep through the portals of praise. 



THE NEW YEAR 

This morn a year was born — this year of grace — 
The child of time, the young and gay New Year. 

The day has been a type of his short race. 
Forth into life he came, nor thought of fear ; 

The bright sun shed warm rays of light on him ; 
Fierce cold chill'd all the earth with frost and 
snow ; 



AND OTHER POEMS 41 

The loud storm broke e'er the brief day grew dim ; 

Quick came the long night, sign of grief and woe ; 
He came with mirth and joy, with song and jest; 

With tear and moan he wail'd life's loss and pain ; 
God's gift he brought, hope, which all men like best ; 

A pray'r voic'd his strong faith in toil and gain. 
And thus he brings to one and all good cheer, 

A wish for all the world — a giad New Year. 



TO THE DANDELION 

Star-dust of gold in earth's carpet of green, 
So fresh in your bright dewy glow ; 
Rival of daisy in broad meadows low, 

Of all common flowers you're queen. 

The stars in the sky shine only at night, 
When sunbeams are farthest away, 
But, shutting your eye at close of the day, 

You're brightest in sun's brightest light. 

Fearless in springtime of frost or of snow, 
Lighting up the bare pasture's gloom, 
Latest and boldest in autumn to bloom, 

Defiant of sickle and hoe ; 

The children all love your blossoms to wear. 
On their heads as crowns you are held, 
From your silken stems silver chains they weld, 

Which bind them your prisoners fair. 



42 ODE TO NIAGARA 

They blow, with sweet breath, through ruby-red Hps, 
The feathery white heads you display — 
They blow them away to learn time of day ; 

Ah, your charms fairer flowers eclipse. 



THE RIVER OF LIFE 

Clear as crystal flows a river 

From the throne of God, 
He who is of life the giver. 

Sends its streams abroad. 

On the river bank are growing 

Trees of life, which yield 
Fruits each month, their leaves bestowing 

Strength to nations healed. 

No more curse by that pure river. 

But the throne of God ; 
And the Lamb shall reign forever 

In the saints' abode. 



HOSPITALITY 

True hospitality, of noblest host. 

Shares gladly humblest fare and lowliest place 
With him whose circumstances need them most; 

Whose cordial welcome and unstudied grace 
Supply what lacks of luxury and art, 

"As unto Christ" receives whoever come 
With genuine courtesy of generous heart. 

And makes the stranger feel at once at home. 



AND OTHER POEMS 43 

OUR GUESTS 

Real hospitality of hearts 

Is better e'en than bread, 
The kindly welcome love imparts 

Means more than chair or bed, 
Fraternal intercourse of minds 

Is food for heart and brain, 
Who e'er this entertainment finds 

Will seek its cheer again. 



REST, HOME, LIFE 

Rest for the weary 

In a land where toil shall cease, 
Earth, sad and dreary. 

Left for heaven's peace. 
Rest from care and sadness, 

Rest from pain and strife and woe ; 
There all joy and gladness 

Spirits blest e'er know. 

Home for the wayworn 

On time's rough, tempestuous way, 
Through glory's gate, borne 

Up to endless day. 
Home in heaven forever. 

Home where wanderings all are o'er, 
Where the ransomed never 

Leave the Saviour more. 



44 ODE TO NIAGARA 

Life for the dying, 

Whither death can never come, 
Sorrow and sighing 

Ne'er shall reach that home. 
Life where tears shall vanish. 

Life eternal, blissful, free; 
Love all fears shall banish, 

God his saints shall see. 



HOLIDAY 

There are no office hours to-day, 
The shop is closed, the boss' away. 
We do not work, we only plan 
To play as only cronies can. 



LITTLE WORKERS 

Four little children, in a class 

In Sunday school were told to bring, 

From money earned and saved by each. 
For mission cause, an offering. 

So when the monthly meeting came, 

Each happy child with pennies gained. 

Was there. And then the teacher asked. 
How they the money had obtained ? 

The first had kept the kitchen stove 

With wood and coal supplied. Another 

Was 'most ashamed to tell how he 

Had earned his gift by minding mother. 



AND OTHER POEMS 45 

The third had taken the baby 

Each day to ride an hour or two, 
The fourth, a harder task, had learned 

The Ten Commandments through and through. 

So we by self-denying toil. 

By labor hard, and loving care, 
May help to win the world to Christ, 

And join our offerings with prayer. 



TO JOSEPH 



O thou who, poor and humble, wrought with care 
In ancient Nazareth and in Bethlehem, 

And meekly serving God with deed and prayer 
Fulfilled thy lowly sphere, nor dreamed of fame ; 

Exalted privilege to thee was given. 
Appointed guardian of the Child of heaven. 
With faith unquestioning God's word believed, 
Obeyed the voice divine, the holy charge received. 

Thy heaven-inspired care, in that dark night 
Of Herod's cruel wrath, and sacrifice 

Of children innocent, the way aright 

To Eg}'pt's refuge safely bore God's prize. 

And In thy home and Mary's, all the years. 
The Son of God from babe to manhood grew ; 

Shared all thy human wants and woes and fears, 
His mission and his Father's business knew. 



46 ODE TO NIAGARA 

Thy home was blest indeed with Jesus there, 
For grace divine with lowly labor dwelt; 

There filial reverence joined with thoughtful care, 
And love divine as human love was felt. 



EASTER OFFERINGS 

O what shall we bring to Jesus 
On this joyous Easter day, 

To him who has died to save us 
From the king of terrors' sway ? 

I'll bring of the flowers the fairest, 
The rose with its petals red. 

Its perfume an incense rarest, 
Its hue like the blood he shed. 

My gift I will bring the Saviour, 
The lily so pure and sweet ; 

So perfect, so like his nature. 
Its fragrance an offering meet. 

We'll bring him our heart's affection. 
Ourselves at his feet we lay; 

Part in the great resurrection 
He brings us this Easter day. 

He died for our sins to atone. 
Arose from death to set free ; 

He ascended his Father's throne 
To plead for you and for me. 



AND OTHER POEMS 47 

EPWORTH LEAGUE RALLYING SONG 

Come with your banners, youth of to-day, 
Gladly the voice of God obey, 
March on together united and true, 
Jesus our leader calls for you. 

Chorus 
Rally for service, strong in the Lord ! 
Thoroughly furnished by his Word, 
Armored with righteous life and deed, 
Onward to vict'ry ! Onward speed ! 

Banded for conquest, ransomed from sin, 
Marshaled by Christ you'll surely win : 
Never turn back or give up the strife, 
Till you have won the crown of life. 

Faithful to duty, willingly serve. 
Never from truth or virtue swerve. 
Look up to Jesus, he bids you come ; 
Lift up the lost, and guide them home. 

Courage, young Christians, bravely endure, 
Bear every cross — reward is sure. 
Victory at last, on truth's battlefield. 
Heaven's glorious hope its bliss will yield. 



HYMN 

Church of the living God, 

Pillar and ground of truth. 
Thy faith and grace and strength we laud. 

Rejoicing in thy growth. 



48 ODE TO NIAGARA 

A providence divine, 

Thy sure foundation laid, 

Salvation all thy walls combine, 
Thy gates with praise were made. 

Thy years have fruitful proved, 
Thy sons from far have come, 

Children thy sacred aisles have loved, 
And found in thee a home. 

Thy place enlarged we see. 
Thy curtains wider spread, 

A little one a thousand be. 
And God, o'er all, thy head. 

Thy way through future years, 
Our willing feet shall tread. 

Thy joys shall triumph o'er our fears, 
Till home to Heaven we're led. 



BATTLE HYMN OF PROHIBITION 

(Air— Hold the Fort) 

Prohibition be the watchword. 

In the war we wage, 
'Gainst the foe of every nation, 

Curse of every age. 
Shout aloud the song of freedom. 

Heaven and earth agree. 
From the liquor demon's power 

Man shall be set free. 



AND OTHER POEMS 49 

In the home shall Prohibition 

Be the law obeyed, 
In the church this cry be sounded, 

Till the plague is stayed. 
This in every Legislature, 

Be our end and aim, 
Till through all our glorious nation 

Vict'ry we proclaim. 

Long and hard will be the conflict, 

For the foe is strong. 
But, with God and right to help us, 

Bold we'll march along. 
Shout aloud the song of freedom. 

Heaven and earth agree. 
From the liquor demon's power 

Man shall be set free. 



PRESCRIPTION 

When you have a splitting headache. 

And your nerves are all out of tune. 

While on your bed all night you lie awake. 

As you listen to the crickets 

Chirp, as if they had the rickets, 

And the dog howls a requiem to the moon. 

Though you feel real melancholy. 

Just resist the tempter's wiles. 

Cease repining and be glad and jolly, 

On the morrow you will be all smiles. 



50 ODE TO NIAGARA AND OTHER POEMS 

BLUE FLAG 

A long, dark, windy, rainy daj^, 
The journey dull and drear the way, 
A casual glance, as moved the train 
Through vale and forest, hill and plain 
Revealed a pool, beneath a tree, 
Abloom with azure fleur de lis. 
It charmed my sight and brought to me 
A respite from monotony. 
It cheered as though the sun had shone, 
My gloom and discontent were gone, 
And now the hours no longer drag. 
For the swift glance of the blue flag 
Lit up the view beneath the gray 
And lives, a joy, in memory. 



THE CHRIST 

With joy we'll celebrate his birth, 
And every nation tribute bring, 

While age to age shall tell his worth 
'Till round the world his praises ring. 



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